Transcript Shifting the Burden

Shifting The Burden
Shifting The Burden
• An underlying problem generates symptoms that demand
attention.
• But the underlying problem is difficult for people to
address, either because it is obscure or costly to confront.
• So people “shift the burden” of their problem to other
solutions – well – intentioned, easy fixes which seem
extremely efficient.
• Unfortunately, the easier “solutions” only ameliorate the
symptoms; they leave the underlying problem unaltered.
• The underlying problem grows worse, unnoticed because
the symptoms apparently clear up, and the system loses
whatever abilities it had to solve the underlying problem.
Management principle
• Beware of symptomatic solutions. Solutions
that address only the symptoms of a problem,
not fundamental causes, tend to have shortterm benefits at best.
• In the long term, the problem resurfaces and
there is increased pressure for symptomatic
response.
• Meanwhile, the capability for fundamental
solutions can atrophy.
Variations
• Shift the Burden to the Intervener
• Eroding Goals
Where is it found? - Personal
• The problem:
• Stress from work, family, school, community
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Fundamental solution:
• reduce commitments or turn down extra
responsibilities.
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Shift the burden solution:
• start drinking to temporarily relieve the stress. Can
create feedback loop that leads to addiction. It doesn’t
solve the root cause of the stress.
Where is it found? - Business
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The problem:
• Preparing subordinates for more responsibility
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Fundamental solution:
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Delegate work to subordinates
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Shift the burden solution:
• Delegate the work but step in to “handle things” at the
first sign of difficulty.
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• Could this apply to parenting too?
Where is it found? - Government
• The problem:
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Any problem in society
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Fundamental Solution:
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Review cause of problem and solve the
problem
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Shift the Burden Solution:
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Make new laws and regulations
The Structure
The Fifth Discipline: The Art & Practice of The Learning Organization
by Peter M. Senge (Mar 21, 2006) - Deckle Edge
Laws and Regulations
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Pierce College Civility Policy
Syllabus
Criminal Law
Business Law
Environmental Law
Health Care Law
What is needed, what isn’t needed?
Achieving High Leverage
• 1. Identify the fundamental problem
• 2. Identify the symptomatic solution that is being used
(alcohol, welfare) and acknowledge it.
• 3. Be willing to commit the necessary time and
resources to strengthening the fundamental solution.
• 4. When symptomatic solutions must be used
(medicine for treating disease caused by smoking, lack
of exercise, etc), acknowledge them for what they are
and combine them with strategies for rehabilitating the
capacity for fundamental solution.